Looking for inspiration on where to stay in London? Here, three of our favourite hotels in Covent Garden, Chelsea and Mayfair
The Neighbourhood: Covent Garden
The Place to Stay: ME London
@MELondonHotel fuses contemporary interior and exterior design, restoring glamour to the west end. Its dramatic monochrome palette and luxurious materials blend modern detailing with classical traditions.
When ME London by Meliá first opened its doors in 2012, it was buzzing. Designed by Foster + Partners, the minds behind 50 Hudson Yards in New York City, Palm Beach’s Norton Museum, a slew of Apple stores across the globe and more, the hotel made its mark as having the most fabulous rooftop bar in the city, Radio Rooftop – 10 storeys above. Its name is a nod to the hotel’s proximity to Marconi House, the former HQ of the BBC and where the first radio wave was transmitted in 1922. But it’s the views, from The Shard and St Pauls to the London Eye and Big Ben that delight the eye and the senses. Moreover, ME London’s location, where The Strand and Covent Garden intersect and a stone’s throw to West End theatre, has also benefited from the new pedestrian-only spot in and around St Mary Le Strand Anglican church. It’s still all the buzz, from the now iconic Radio Rooftop, to the artwork-lined lobby walls to a pre- or post-theatre supper and cocktails at STK steakhouse beneath the hotel.
The Atrium
Marconi Lounge
The Concierge says: Visit the wonderful renaissance style Somerset House, built in 1547, and the Impressionist-filled Courtauld Gallery, within touching distance of the hotel; have lunch on the terrace bar overlooking the River Thames. Within walking distance is the National Gallery, built in 1824. It houses a collection of more than 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900 with the likes of Van Gogh and Constable ordaining its walls. Covent Garden houses a multitude of great shops, a unique crafts market and the 18th Century pub, Punch and Judy, overlooking St Paul’s Church – a great spot to have a local lager or a glass of wine while enjoying the famous street performers.
The Neighbourhood: Mayfair
The Place to Stay: The Mayfair Townhouse
Hotel Exterior
London is renowned for its rows upon rows of historic and stately townhouses, and many have been bought up, combined and renovated into hotels. The beauty of the townhouse is that no room is like the next, and the quaint architectural elements are preserved and enhanced. At The Mayfair Townhouse – a collection of 15 Georgian buildings on Half Moon Street that opened as a hotel in 2021 – guests are greeted by smiling staff in a sleek lobby (don’t forget to say hello to the crystal-bedazzled peacock sculpture) and The Dandy Bar; a cozy hug of a gorgeously lit space. The wait staff may be dressed to the nines, but there’s zero pretension, great cocktails, elevated gastro-pub fare, what’s not to love? Brit drinks expert and TV personality Olly Smith has just signed on for a fresh collab to create a no-alcohol cocktail menu, in keeping with the sober curious movement. Just outside the door is the affluent Mayfair neighbourhood where the likes of Queen Elizabeth II, Jimi Hendrix, Winston Churchill and Oscar Wilde all once lived. Wilde, a dandy in his own right, was one of the inspirations behind design firm Goddard Littlefair’s reimagining of the Townhouse, where present-day British style meets the exuberant wit of the writer’s aesthetic (it was on this street that Wilde wrote The Importance of Being Earnest). Down the block is Piccadilly and a quick walk to Green Park (and Buckingham Palace), not far are the posh shops of Savile Row and Bond Street. The hotel’s pedigree is also worth a mention: a member of the Iconic Luxury Hotels Group, the visionaries behind country manor hotels Cliveden House and Chewton Glen. The rooms live up to the hype, with lovely details like fabulous toiletries, retro radios and comfy beds to fall into.
Alfie Peacock Sculpture
The Den
The Concierge says: “I would suggest a short stroll down to Burlington Arcade to take in the lovely design of the building and admire the independent boutiques there. After this a quick walk across to Green Park to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.”
The Neighbourhood: Chelsea
The Place to Stay: The Chelsea Townhouse
Chelsea Townhouse
The Chelsea Townhouse, a sister property to The Mayfair Townhouse (see above), has just completed a facelift, giving this beauty of a hotel a bit of a refresh. Some may remember it as The Draycott hotel, and its bones are still true to the trio of Queen Anne-style, red-brick Victorian townhomes that hold its 36 rooms. In the bustling area known for Sloane Rangers (Princess Diana was one of them), The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger kept a flat in the ‘hood) and The King’s Road (where Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood gave birth to the Punk movement), the hotel also acts as one of the buildings that wrap around the private Cadogan Gardens. I love that you have direct access to this green space of calm dotted with Mulberry trees, straight out the back steps of the Salon – where breakfast, a smart cocktail or afternoon tea can also be ordered. The front of the house features the library, with a wall of books and comfy couches for one to sink into, while the fireplace warms. Ask for a room that overlooks the gardens to get the feeling that you are at home in your own space. A welcome “Chelsea Bun,” the iconic pastry similar to a cinnamon bun that was created in bakeries in this neighbourhood, was a treat; a stocked and complimentary minibar was the cherry on top.
The Lobby
Garden Suite
The Concierge says: Don’t miss the Changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and a visit to Battersea Park. And, within a 10 – 15 minute walk from the hotel that’s budget-friendly: Chelsea Physics Garden; the new Banksy in Chelsea; and the Saatchi Gallery.
